Conference Status: Proceed with a face-to-face conference

We can certainly say that 2020 has been no ordinary year! GSNZ and the organising committee are committed to bringing you an exciting and collaborative conference experience this year, but the health and safety of all participants is of utmost importance. We have prepared to rapidly adapt to changes in government COVID-19 alert levels by adjusting the format of the conference as necessary in order to proceed.  

At this stage, we are continuing with arrangements for a face to face experience on 22 – 25 November at the University of Canterbury, incorporating pre- and post-conference field trips and workshops.

Criteria for the conference at different Alert levels. We are, simultaneously, planning a virtual alternative if alert levels don’t allow a large face-to-face gathering. 

• If Canterbury and/or the whole country is still in Alert Level 2 by 20 October, we will move to deliver a Virtual Event.*
  
• If Canterbury is at Level 1 but a couple of other regions are at Level 2 or above, then the conference proceeds as face to face for participants from Level 1 regions. Those who are unable to attend in person will receive partial refunds on registration but will have access to recorded talks shortly after the conference.
  
• If between 20 October and 22 November, Canterbury and/or the whole country move from Level 1 back to Level 2 or higher, the conference will move to a virtual format.*
  

*Delegates who have already registered will receive a partial refund for any difference in registration fees from the in-person fees to the virtual fees.

In-person vs Virtual

We are very much hoping for a face-to-face conference since we are excited about our programme, planned meetings and workshops, and the student-oriented events about careers and networking with industry partners.  These will all be more difficult to deliver in a virtual format but we have plans in place to make the virtual experience interactive and collaborative in order to keep one of the best aspects of attending a conference, the ability to meet other scientists and discuss their work.